This publication contains the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code) and information related to that Code. The Code was originally adopted in 1971 and was altered by a series of amendments between 1972 and 1983 before an amended version was adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in 1985 and by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in 1986. There have been further amendments, the most recent of which were adopted by the MEPC by resolution MEPC.144(54) in March 2006 and by the MSC by resolution MSC.212(81) in May 2006. These came into force on 1 August 2007.

This edition also includes amendments which were adopted by the MEPC by resolution MEPC.41(29) which became effective on 3 February 2000; by resolution MEPC.56(33) which became effective on 1 July 1994; by resolu- tion MEPC.70(38) which became effective on 1 July 1998; by resolution MEPC.80(43) which became effective on 1 July 2002 and by resolution MEPC.91(45) which also became effective on 1 July 2002. Chapters VI and VII of the BCH Code are now much shorter than in earlier editions because they refer the user to chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC Code.

Under the provisions of Annex II of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78), chemical tankers constructed before 1 July 1986 must comply with this Code; those built on or after that date must comply with the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) for the purposes of MARPOL 73/78 and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 74).

A​​s a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.